Film Analysis: American History X

I.

Theme

The Film, American History X, has a primary focus on the idea the
movie is trying to portray. The subject that the movie is centered
around is Hate, and the ignorance of people that give birth to it and
how the outcome will always be destruction and violence. The
statement the movie tries to show is how Hate is ignorance brought
together with fear that is destined to destroy each other. But it also
shows how through knowledge and acceptance is can be prevented
and stopped.

II.

On Identifying the Theme

Through the film a moral implication is presented is an effort to

change the values or attitudes of the audience. It shows that hate
based on an act of an individual is wrong and that having hate in
your heart can completely change the life of someone who did
nothing wrong. The audience has to experience the extreme acts of
hate as they progress through the film to show that it is not worth it
too be consumed by hate because it will only destroy who you are.

III.

Main Theme

The main theme of the film is how Hate is too powerful to let into
someones life because if it does it will inevitably consume you and
it will kill you.

IV.

Cinematic Components

Photography The photography served to reflect with the theme. It

had consistent switches from color to black and white and it
highlighted the key moments where hate was portrayed.

Mise en Scene Through showing the dominant in most scenes,

which was Edward Norton with the swastika tattoo helped reinforce
the theme. It drew the viewers attention right too it to really show
the hate through the symbol on his chest.

Movement Through the use of photography to show the black and

white scenes to demonstrate hate it also showed the important
body movements that contributed to showing the physical hate.

Editing The cut in scenes between the past and present through
color showed the change in the main character along with the
power of knowledge in hope of stopping hate.